Roxon's response to AVN and a dig at her take on home birth.

From a press conference with Nicola Roxon, the Health Minister, and Jim Bishop, the Commonwealth's Chief Medical Officer.

Question: Do you think an element in the slow take-up has been misinformation from the internet and from groups like anti-vaccination network?

Nicola Roxon: I think we've been quite clear about the anti-vaccination network's objections to any type of vaccination which is not based in any of the science or medical advice that we have.

I can't explain or predict how many people pay attention to that. I think it is irresponsible material, by and large, and I would encourage all Australians to act on the advice of the Government, of course based on the advice from the Chief Medical Officer, our specialised teams that meet to provide us with information, the very rigorous TGA process to ensure that this is safe for children, and we are satisfied of all those things and I think it is foolish for people to spread misinformation about a vaccine which can actually provide protection where we know there have been some bad consequences in paediatric situations, so for young children, and this is a way to protect against that.

Though I wholeheartedly agree with her this time, it's a depressing thought for me that she lacks credibility due to her involvement in restricting home birth. Roxon, unfortunately, appears to do none of the research herself. Rather, she seems to take as gospel anything anyone with a white coat or an AMA membership says.